Stop Frame

Actually, more like a half-dozen 2 nd looks. Over at Big Hollywood , I got into a short, pleasant exchange with another reader ( dcase ) about Quantum of Solace . In the end, we agreed that it was better the second time around, and then he made an intriguing statement, that it was as close to an art house film as a Bond film is liable to get. Art house? Bond? Let’s work our way to that, and I’m afraid there are liable to be SPOILERS in this discussion. Sorry. First, I was perhaps less than kind to QoS when I first reviewed it. Many of my objections still stand. The action is, more often than not, disjointed, an example of the extreme close-up, shaky cam, rapid cut “style” that dominates modern action films. It’s not a style, it’s a disease. Most people blame Michael Bay for this plague, but I think the real cause is Paul Greengrass and his two Bourne films. Action films, Bay aside, want to imitate Bourne. Bay always takes a moment or two to pull the camera back and remind you...

Nothing I could say would surpass the words of the great man himself: SUPREME HEADQUARTERS ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely. But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their streng...